Devaraj Urs's services recalled

By Our Staff Correspondent,

BELGAUM, AUG. 20. The services of the former Chief Minister, D. Devaraj Urs, especially for the uplift of the backward classes and the poor, were recalled at a function here on Sunday on the occasion of the leader's 85th birth anniversary.

The function was organised by the Zilla Panchayat and the Department of Backward Classes and Minorities.

The former legislator, Mr. G.K.Tikked, who was closely associated with Devaraj Urs, recalled the steps taken in providing reservation to the backward classes and implementing the Land Reforms Act effectively.

It was due to his vision on having a casteless society that thousands of children, belonging to different castes, were living together in hostels (run by BCM Department) while pursuing their education, he said.

The Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Neelay Mitash, said that it was due to certain "revolutionary" steps taken the former Chief Minister that a large number of students, belonging to backward classes and from low income groups, were able to pursue their education.

The effective implementation of land reforms had changed the lives of tens of thousands of families. If there was no naxalite influence in Karnataka, the credit should go the State Government for effectively implementing the Land Reforms Act, he said.

The ZP chief executive officer, Mr. Anjum Pervez, eulogised the courage displayed by Devaraj Urs to implement the land reforms. Apart from Karnataka, the effective implementation of land reforms had taken place only in Kerala, he said.

The radical changes introduced by the former Chief Minister had transformed the lives of a large section of society, he said.

The ZP president, Ms. Lalita Chougle, asked the youths to emulate the ideals of the late leader.

"It is because of Devaraj Urs that you all have good hostels and a chance to pursue education," she said.

The BCM Officer, Mr. Arvind Prabha, was present. Driving licences to youths who were trained under a BCM Department scheme were handed over on the occasion.

Our Bellary Staff Correspondent reports:

Rich tributes were paid to Devaraj Urs at a function jointly organised by the district administration, the zilla panchayat and the Devaraj Urs Vedike here on Sunday.

Mr. M. Diwakar Babu, Minister of State for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, said that implementation of land reforms was one of the major achievements of Devaraj Urs, who strove for the uplift of the backward classes.

Mr. Diwakar Babu wanted the vedike to continue organising functions not only to create awareness about the schemes and programmes meant for the uplift of the backward classes but also to ensure that the Government schemes reached the people, especially in the rural areas.

Mr. Allum Veerabhadrappa, Minister of State for Horticulture, described Devaraj Urs as statesman and a visionary committed to the cause of social justice. "The peace and tranquility prevailing in Karnataka is mainly due to the efforts of Devaraj Urs who accorded top priority to the concept of social justice," he said.

Mr. M. Shankar Reddy, MLA, Mr. Chornur Kottrappa, Assistant Director, Department of Kannada and Culture, and Mr. C. Pampapati of the vedike.

Mr. Doddaramanna, vice-president, Zilla Panchayat, Mr. Javed Akhtar, Deputy Commissioner, Dr. H.V.Parshwanath, chief executive officer, zilla panchayat, were present.

Mr. Hirehal Ibrahim, philanthropist, Mr. Umashankar Rao, progressive farmer, Dr. B. Ramaprasad, Mr. Srinivas and Venkataramana of the Sriram Yuvak Mandal, Sangankal, were honoured on the occasion.

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